CENTURY WINGS Celebrates 10 Years of Excellence

In 2006, an all new diecast brand burst onto the scene with a remarkable 1:72 scale rendition of an F-14A Tomcat in VF-84 Jolly Rogers markings. This model significantly raised the bar for accuracy and detail in diecast military aircraft models. Subsequent releases were eagerly snapped up by enthusiasts who wanted nothing but the best for their collections. Time and again, new releases have proven so popular that they have sold-out in pre-order before reaching retailer shelves. Exceptional quality and limited availability have made Century Wings one of the most collectible brands available today, with sold-out models frequently fetching several times their original price on the secondary market.

Century Wings are celebrating their 10th Anniversary with a very special, limited-edition release. Paying homage to their first ever model, Century Wings are releasing an all-new rendition of one of their earliest releases. While the markings are the same as the original, the tooling has been updated to incorporate some exciting new features:

Please note that, unlike the original "launch configuration" model, this release features articulated swing wings with flaps and slats retracted.

US Navy Fighter Squadron 84 (VF-84) was established on July 1st, 1955. Three US Navy squadrons have used the name and insignia of the Jolly Roger: VF-61 (originally VF-17), VF-84, and VFA-103. While these are distinctly different squadrons that have no lineal linkage, they all share the same Jolly Rogers name, the skull and crossbones insignia and traditions. VF-84 adopted the name in 1960 while operating the FJ-3 Fury. The squadron transitioned through the F-8 Crusader and F-4 Phantom II before upgrading to the F-14A Tomcat in 1976. VF-84 deployed several times aboard the USS Nimitz and USS Theodore Roosevelt before being disestablished on October 1st, 1995, and handing over the Jolly Rogers title to VF-103.

Designed to carry the formidable long range AIM-54 Phoenix missile, the Grumman F-14 Tomcat was first flown on December 21st, 1970. Made famous by the Hollywood film Top Gun, the F-14 replaced the F-4 Phantom II as the US Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter. Its design includes a variable geometry wing that can sweep back for high speed supersonic intercepts and forward for improved positioning in air to air dogfights. Nicknamed "Bombcat," the F-14 spent much of its late career in an air-to-ground role, carrying the Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) system.

Century Wings' 1:72 scale F-14 is exceptionally rich in detail with every access panel, exhaust vent and antenna faithfully reproduced. Crisp pad-printed markings cover the entire airframe and a detailed selection of weapons is provided. The hinged canopy locks securely in place leaving almost no visible gap, and inside is a detailed cockpit with removable crew figures. The landing gear and doors are reproduced as robust sub-assemblies for easy display. The standard release features an articulated swing wing, and certain special releases feature the aircraft in "launch configuration" with wings fixed in the full-forward position, leading and trailing edge flaps permanently deployed and the nose-gear compressed with launch bar extended.